The Thief

by Megan Whalen Turner

The Thief

Grades 6 & up

Fantasy

Three more books in this series

Book Summary:This book is the first in a series about a fictional land. The book opens when Gen, the main character, is yanked out of the king's prison and told to prepare for a mission. The king wants him to steal something, and Gen doesn't have much of a choice.

The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and A Conspiracy of Kings are the second, third, and fourth books in this series.

Book Review:This is a book with many different elements--action/adventure, fantasy, and mystery. The protagonist is compelling because he's so unusual, especially in this genre. He's not trying to make friends, and is comfortable with his selfishness. Two other young men are part of Gen's mission, and their stories add a bit of political intrigue to an already intricate plot. Sophisticated readers will enjoy this independently, but many readers would benefit from discussions during and after the book.

"The Thief quote"p. 120

MagicPolitics

Ambition: Lengths People will Go To to Attain PowerLoyalty; Conflicting InterestsAppearances Can Be DeceivingSafety vs. Risk-TakingResponsibility; Doing the Right Thing